2017 FIFA U17 WC: Mali Preview – An attacking team with a clear focus on winning

NOT MANY TEAMS CAN put aside problems and keep their focus on the eventual target. Mali have had internal issues that could put them off.

In March, this year, the FIFA Council decided to suspend the Malian Football Association (FEMAFOOT) with immediate effect. No team from Mali or clubs could take part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.

The CAF African U-17 Cup of Nations was due to be held within months of this announcement. This was tough time for the football in the country. But the team, under their coach Jonas Komla, switched off from these matters and kept the focus on preparing for the tournament.

On 28 April 2017, the Bureau of the FIFA Council decided to lift the suspension that had been imposed on the Malian Football Association (FEMAFOOT) in March. The team could enter the World Cup qualification freely.

History

In their previous four appearances at the Under 17 World Cup, Mali have gone past the group stages on three occasions. The Les Aiglonnets first made in to the global stage in 1997 and qualified twice consecutively thereafter in the 1999 and 2001. In Chile 2015, Mali finished runners-up to fellow African nation, Nigeria.   

Qualification

Despite the internal problems, Mali showed positive character to enter the qualification for the World Cup. Their reward? Mali were crowned champions CAF African Cup of Nations and became the only nation to successfully defend their title. The team went undefeated throughout the tournament scoring nine goals and letting in just two.

Preparation

Mali coach, Jonas Komla, has a wealth of experience having worked for three years in U.A.E. and spent time at clubs like Manchester City, Valencia and Real Madrid. Komla, is positive about the preparations going into the World Cup in India. In an interview with FIFA last month, shared the Mali U17 team would be playing about seven games and have training camps in Japan and Qatar.

The Mali U17 team also participated in Francophone Games held at Ivory Coast where they played U-23 teams, like Cameroon, Niger, Côte d'Ivoire, Congo and Congo DR.

Player to watch out

Fode Konate: The right back doubles up as a cross-provider. Konate is known for great overlapping runs and quality long balls.

2017 World Cup – India

Mali are placed in Group B with Paraguay, New Zealand and Turkey. The group stage venue for Group B is DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.

Mali's U-17 World Cup schedule:

v/s Paraguay - 6 October, 8 pm (DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai)

v/s Turkey - 9 October, 5 pm (DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai)

v/s New Zealand - 12 October, 5 pm (Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi)

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